As one of the pioneers of outlaw country, Nelson was essential in fusing elements of rock and folk that would produce some of the most essential music of the 1970s and 80s. Nelson's music and activism would make him a true American icon.

Thus, fans are lucky to still have Nelson, at age 84, touring the country with some of his favorite musicians and fellow legends.

On various dates, the Outlaw Music Festival has featured Nelson with the likes of Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Eric Church, My Morning Jacket and Jason Isbell. Friday night's show at Blossom showcased a diverse lineup of young and old acts. And the crowd was a lively match.

The festival kicked off around 4:30 with Particle Kid. For those who don't know, Particle Kid is J. Micah Nelson, a stellar singer-songwriter and the son of Willie Nelson. He's just as edgy and engaging as dad was in his younger days.

The family vibe continued with Lukas Nelson (another one of Willie's sons) & Promise of the Real. Lukas Nelson's sound veered more towards rock than country, getting the relatively small crowd that had gathered moving, while most people were just leaving work.

Next up were Atlanta rockers Blackberry Smoke. The group, who has opened for everyone from ZZ Top to Zach Brown Band, seemed a bit subdued. But much of that may have had to do with early evening set time, which saw many people still filing in to see the three main acts,

Seeing Sheryl Crow hit a stage just after 7 p.m. is a rare occurrence these days, especially for a someone who has eight top-10 albums to her name. Crow's set was strong early on with hits from her 1990s run, including "Everyday Is a Winding Road" and "My Favorite Mistake."

Interestingly enough, fans could be seen leaving the festival after the specific act they came to see. A few headed for the exits after Crow's set. Even more left after The Avett Brothers.

It's not surprising so many fans (especially young adults) showed up for the North Carolina band. The Avett Brothers could easily fill a good portion of Blossom on their own.

Anyone who's seen the Avett Brothers before knows their concerts can turn into a nearly two-hour sing-a-long fests. But Friday's performance, as one of the openers, was toned down. Still, fans got emotionally rich renditions of songs like "Murder in the City" and the powerful closer "I And Love and You."

The man known as Willie Nelson didn't hit the stage until close to 10 p.m. These days, his sets are loaded with about 20 songs, including several covers. Yet, while may artists Nelson's age may sit on a stool, the country legend stands tall with his backing band.

Hearing Nelson sing "On the Road Again," "Always on My Mind" and several other timeless tunes is something many people crossed off their bucket list Friday night.

Nelson is older and, perhaps, embarking one of the last tours of his storied career. But his headlining performance Friday night was well worth the wait. He's still one cool dude.